Stabbing in Walmart parking lot leads to police chase in West Jordan

WEST JORDAN, Utah -- A man is in custody after police say a stabbing in a Walmart parking lot led to a police pursuit early Thursday morning.

West Jordan Police said things began around 2:30 a.m. at a Walmart in West Jordan, 7671 South 3800 West, where a man stabbed someone in the upper shoulder/lower neck area.

The person who was stabbed suffered a puncture wound not considered life-threatening.

When officers arrived at the store, which was closed, employees told them there was a man inside who was wearing a Walmart vest but was not an employee. Employees also observed the man carrying packs of beer.

Police confronted the man, who got into a vehicle and fled. Officers tried to spike his tires twice before the 15-minute chase came to an end.

While the chase went from West Jordan to Midvale, Murray and Taylorsville, it ended back in West Jordan only a couple of miles from the Walmart where things began.

The driver, identified as Nicholas McDonald, was arrested and police said they could smell alcohol on his breath. They also found a fixed blade knife consistent with the weapon used in the stabbing as well as the stolen beer inside the man's truck.

McDonald was operating the vehicle with no insurance and on a suspended driver's license, and he was booked into jail on felony charges of aggravated assault and fleeing as well as lesser charges for DUI, retail theft and traffic violations.